Little Trout Lake
About Little Trout Lake
Little Trout Lake is a 127-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 56 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 2 fish species here, including lake trout. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 3 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Little Trout Lake
- 127 acres, up to 56 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: lake trout
- Average water clarity around 13.4 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 127 acres
- Max depth
- 56 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 48 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 2 portage accesses
- Camping (3 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 2
- Game fish
- 1
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
3 campgrounds are mapped on or near Little Trout Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Trout Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Ram Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais68 acres
1.6 miles away
Vista Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais166 acres
1.8 miles away
Bower Trout Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill133 acres
2.2 miles away
Swan Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais199 acres
2.3 miles away
Horseshoe Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill188 acres
3 miles away
Ball Club Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais206 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 127 acres and reaches 56 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Trout Lake?
Little Trout Lake covers 127 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 56 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Lake Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Trout Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Little Trout Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Trout Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Trout Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Trout Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Little Trout Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.